He was born August 7, 1934, at the family home in Spokane, to Joseph and Sybel Pick. He grew up in Spokane and graduated from North Central High School in 1952. Following high school, he enlisted and proudly served in the US Marine Corps.
Ron began SCUBA diving professionally in 1959. He graduated from Dive Master Commercial School in Chicago (1959), the National Association of Underwater Instructors School in Houston (1960), and the Commercial School of Divers in Long Beach CA (1963).
He owned and operated the WOCO School of Diving with his partner, Dave Woodward, and was the owner of Ron Pick Commercial Diving. Ron taught accredited scuba diving courses at Gonzaga U for 8 years. He also instructed at the YMCA, Spokane Club, Fairchild AFB, and at many institutions throughout the Inland Empire. Over 2300 students graduated from his diving classes during his career.
Ron joined the Spokane County Underwater Rescue Unit in 1959 and was named Chief of the unit in 1967 under Sheriff William J. Reilly and Jack A. Waller, Director of Civil Defense for Spokane County.
He worked for the Washington Water Power Co for 28 years (1956-1984) in Engineering (draftsman, electrical engineering technician, company diver) and Purchasing (materials management specialist). In 1984 he left WWP and moved to Everett WA to work for Snohomish County PUD as Contracts & Purchasing Manager. Following his retirement, he opened RP’s Shooters Supplies in Everett WA, where he loaded precision ammunition for various police agencies and retail sales. He moved to Poulsbo WA in 2000 and lived there until returning to Spokane in 2011.
Ron’s favorite hobby was target shooting (handguns, trap, & rifle). He belonged to the International Practical Shooters Confederation, the Bainbridge Island Gun Club, National Rifle Assn (as an NRA Safety Range Officer), and the Spokane Rifle Club. He loved boating, fishing (fly fishing & spin casting), gardening, and cars both old & new.
Ron had a photographic memory and a great sense of humor with a hilarious joke for every occasion, keeping family and friends laughing.
Ron is survived by his wife of 36 years, Valerie Myron-Sulpizio, stepdaughters Jennifer (Eugene) Slagstad of St Cloud MN, and Melissa (Mike) Dahnke of Columbus GA, grandsons Trey, Hunter & Nick Slagstad, and granddaughter Marisa Dahnke. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph & Sybel Pick, sister, Penny Pick, and brother, Steve Pick.
A memorial celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date. Heritage Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation and inurnment arrangements.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Dec. 19, 2021.
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